The small luxuries of the Delhi chill are when you wake up to a bright, sunny morning on a Sunday. For a long time, I had promised K to take her out to Hauz Khas Village (HKV). While I still believe that the first visit to HKV should begin with a hearty plate of Yeti Momos and other delights this time I thought to take a slight detour because K loves Italian food. So, I decided to do a zomato search (www.zomato.com- the online portal with listings of restaurants, menu and you can even make your table reservation) and decided to head for Cafe Small Talk.

Cafe Small Talk is nestled in one of the by-lanes. As the staircases lead you to the first floor you will be welcomed to a twenty seater restaurant overlooking the by-lane. If you like quite places and want to catch up with a friend for a long conversation this is the place.

A Glimpse of the interiors

The place is tastefully done. The bright coloured upholstery complements the white interiors and the white rimmed tables. Wine bottles with pretty laces on the table are a welcome change. Tissues are neatly rolled in brass glasses with pink and white laces. Before laying our eyes on the menu we decided to gaze at the lovely interiors waiting for our cup of Cappuccino we had ordered the moment we stepped in. As the two cups of Cappuccino arrived, the white cutlery with floral engravings were the perfect beginning to the grand lunch we had. Though I had made up my mind to order for grilled chicken in lemon butter sauce K and I decided to settle for crostini platter, grilled chicken with lamb and thyme sauce, spaghetti bolognese with chicken and finished off our meal with gooey chocolate.

Crostini platter

Grilled Chicken with Lamb and Thyme Sauce

The portions that arrived were huge and we struggled to finish the last bit . They have an interesting menu and next time I plan to try out their prawns and strong tiramisu. Interestingly, the prices on the menu are inclusive of vat and they charge a 10 % service on the total bill. A welcome change from what you see and what you end up paying.

Cafe Small Talk is worth a try because of its value for money food, “pretty” and cosy interiors – the perfect way to unwind a sun-kissed winter afternoon. Check out the menu on www.zomato.com and venture out for a lunch @ Cafe Small Talk.

(Anghrija by training is a lawyer and a dear friend with whom I have shared a special bond over momos and things that are edible. She pens down this post on Yeti our favourite haunt in Hauz Khas Village, Delhi. Happy reading!)

Hidden away somewhere between the concrete jungle of Greenpark and Hauz Khas are the majestic ruins and the urban village of Hauz Khas. I remember going there the first time, about 5 years back, as a student. All I remember from that time are the South Indian restaurant Naivedyam and the North Indian food joint – Park Baluchi, and of course, the sprawling Deer Park. Apart from the ruins, I did not find anything to note. Perhaps, it had something to do with the time of the visit (winter night, and pitch dark), or that, as a student, I could barely afford what Hauz Khas Village(HKV) had to offer.

The next time I visited HKV, I could take in the full extent of this urban village. Streets and by-lanes dotted with quaint shops – silver jewellery, arts and crafts, furniture, clothes – selling “ethnicity” and charm, and scores of big and small restaurants, pull one in. At the end of the main street, the ruins loom large and impressive. And then, right where the ruins begin, a small signboard, on the left, spells out Yeti – the Himalayan Restaurant. Bingo! Anyone who knows me knows my weakness for food that is Tibetan, Bhutanese, North-East Indian, etc. Darling “Itiriti,” the hostess of this blog, can vouch for my fondness for momos. In fact, food has been at the background of our friendship, always.

Anyways, the name drew me in, and I climbed up the stairs. As one enters Yeti, the first thing one notes is the welcoming smiles and the Buddhist chants playing in the background. Then one notices the brick layering and the rustic charm. I, especially, love the furniture – square wooden tables and chairs – very neat, spare and comfortable. And, the place overlooks the ruins!!! The hosts are typically dressed in “hill” attire, and are typically warm and cute. The menu is substantial, and can look a bit daunting to the uninitiated (what with the strange and unfamiliar names, etc.). However, the hosts are quick to explain what the names mean. And, by way of experience, I would say that you can pretty much order anything on that menu, and it will be good, except for that one time when one of their rice dishes was cooked in stale meat-stock. The food is served on time. The drinks menu is not really big by any standards, but they serve beer and vodka. What I love most about Yeti is the rustic warmth that it exudes; it makes way for friendly conversations between friends and strangers too. You can almost visibly notice people loosening up within minutes of entering the place. And, the food is to die for (and easy on the pocket, too)!!!

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